Gaumont won an Olympic bronze in 1992

Gaumont was recently arrested as part of a probe into the team and he threatened to reveal details of drug-taking across the sport.

Cofidis have distanced themselves from his comments, saying that any doping taking place is on an individual basis.

Gaumont had expected to be sacked, telling French Newspaper L'Equipe: "I knew it was only a matter of time."

Under French law and regulations laid down by cycling authorities, Cofidis were obliged to sack Gaumont after his admission.

The rider added: "That's it. Cycling is finished for me.

"However what is not finished is the problem that exists in cycling.

"Based on what I know, the courts and the police haven't finished talking about these problems this year."

Gaumont and team physiotherapist Bogdan Madejak were the only members of the Cofidis team to be directly involved in the affair.

Britain's David Millar, who also rides for Cofidis, has not been involved in the investigation.